God is moving powerfully in West Africa, where Harvesters’ pastoral-training and church-planting programme is gaining momentum. Our dedicated local partners are increasingly committed to disciple-making in line with the Great Commission. Yet there they are facing increasing challenges, and prayer is essential. Below, we share recent updates and invite you to pray with us – see prayer points at the end.
The Next Step for Committed Pastors in Ghana
Over 50 leaders in Accra recently completed their Phase A training, focused on spiritual disciplines and discipleship – the first major step following the Kick Off. Many of these are high-profile, seasoned leaders from major denominations such as the Baptist and Assemblies of God churches who are eager to integrate Harvesters’ training into their networks.
Pastor Edmond, who travelled 80 km to Accra, testified that the material is “an answer to a heart cry… Like a mustard seed given to our hands.” This reflects how Harvesters is stepping into long-held prayers of local pastors longing for true discipleship.
The Harvesters model – evangelise, plant churches, disciple, select leaders, train and repeat – is a process aimed at building mature, Christlike communities for the long term. One pastor explained that he sees this training as foundational to planting more churches across Ghana and beyond, and he has already identified ten people to train.
Reverend Moses, a veteran pastor of 36 years who has already planted seven churches, described Harvesters’ methodology as “an eye-opener,” especially around discipleship. He’s already recruiting young pastors to embrace this vision.
The overriding excitement and gratitude of these pastors can be summed up in the words of one participant: “All of this has been possible because Harvesters decided to come to Ghana and come to help us to build [the] church here.” May God continue to raise and equip these leaders, and may their work bear eternal fruit.
Momentum Builds across Nigeria
Three church-planting Streams are now underway in Nigeria, marking significant momentum for church growth. In Abuja, nearly 70 pastors attended Phase A, describing it as deeply clarifying – especially around discipleship and what the church truly is. Their enthusiasm is already inspiring more leaders to join the next cohorts.
One pastor in Abuja highlighted a shift in his theology on church: “[It’s] not a building. Church is a group of believers who have Christ in their lives, and Christ is the centre of their lives.”
Leaders are recognising that discipleship is the key. As one pastor put it, “I’ve come to realise that without discipleship… we wouldn’t be fulfilling the Great Commission.” And another said, “The Lord has sent Harvesters to awaken us unto obedience… to make disciples.”
In the south, more than 250 leaders gathered for the launches of two new Streams in Ibadan and Port Harcourt. There’s a fresh excitement, and a strong desire to see evangelism, church planting and discipleship flow through their communities.
From Ibadan, one pastor realised that there’s a “better ways of doing things,” while another committed to “get back to basics.” In Port Harcourt, one participant described it like this: “The main thing is raising disciples that will, in turn, raise other disciples. That is the church that God is interested in, and that is the church I have so resolved, God be my helper, to go and start building.”
In the midst of increasing pressure and opposition, Nigeria is building strong foundations for Kingdom growth.
Prayer Points
- For spiritual transformation: Pray that the leaders in West Africa will grow in spiritual maturity and faithfully reproduce discipleship in their churches.
- For multiplication: Ask God to raise godly disciple-makers across Nigeria and Ghana, who will plant healthy, multiplying churches.
- For clarity and unity: Pray for unity among denominational partners (Baptists, Assemblies of God, etc.) to embrace the disciple-making vision.
- For expansion: Pray for new church-planting Streams to open and for more leaders to respond to the call to train and plant.
- For strength and resilience: As persecution and opposition abound, let’s pray for God’s peace and strength to support pastors and believers in Nigeria and West Africa.
